Big match preview: Coventry City v Blackburn Rovers

RAY Harford's hopes of enticing German international Oliver Bierhoff to Ewood still seem to be on hold - despite reports from Italy today that a possible deal had foundered.

Stories claimed Udinese striker Bierhoff had ruled out a multi-million pound move to the Premiership with Rovers, because they were bottom of the table.

There was no comment on the situation from Ewood but manager Harford and chairman Robert Coar have already made one trip abroad to discuss a deal with Udinese officials.

And sources close to both clubs suggest that the situation is unchanged from last week. It's not exactly red hot, but the door hasn't completely closed either.

Udinese seem reluctant to sell until they can line up a replacement, possibly when their transfer window re-opens in November.

But Rovers will maintain a watching brief.

Harford, meanwhile, has selection decisions to make, especially over his defensive line-up, for tomorrow's game against fellow strugglers Coventry City. And he has called 18-year-old central defender Marlon Broomes into the squad, hinting that the youngster could claim a place in the 16.

The manager changed things at the back for the first time this season against Brentford on Tuesday - and Rovers kept their first clean sheet of the season!

It remains to be seen whether more changes are in store tomorrow, for Harford was unhappy with the second-half display against Brentford.

Garry Flitcroft is fit again but Ian Pearce (thigh strain) is ruled out and Graham Fenton (shoulder injury) needs checking.

One man looking forward to the game will be Kevin Gallacher, who has missed out three times on facing his club at Highfield Road in the Premiership because of a series of injury problems. Last season, Rovers crashed 5-0 on a partly-frozen Coventry pitch - their worst display for a long time.

They are expected to choose from: Flowers, Kenna, Berg, Hendry, Croft, Donis, Sherwood, Bohinen, Wilcox, Sutton, Gallacher, Flitcroft, Fenton, Marker, Coleman, Ripley, McKinlay, Broomes, Given.

Coventry were also encouraged by a midweek win in the Coca-Cola Cup.

They beat Birmingham 1-0 away, with a goal from Gary McAllister, to go through 2-1 on aggregate.

Manager Ron Atkinson is set to pick his team from: Ogrizovic, Borrows, Daish, Burrows, Hall, Telfer, Richardson, McAllister, Salako, Dublin Whelan, Filan, Shaw, Jess, Williams, Ducros.

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